THQ clarifies its layoffs, status of Volition

Gamertell received an email from THQ’s PR department earlier today regarding recent layoffs.

The email was apparently sent to several media outlets. The email suggests that it is a reaction to “inaccurate reporting” although specific instances were not indicated. We are waiting for follow-up comments from THQ.

Here’s the bulk of THQ’s email:

Yesterday, we had a layoff of our Quality Assurance group at THQ’s Volition studio. I wanted to give you the facts as there’s been some inaccurate reporting out there.

Here are the facts:

As part of THQ Inc’s, previously announced business realignment plans and related headcount reductions, there was a layoff yesterday at the Champaign QA facility. This will result in the eventual closure of the facility with a transfer of sixteen employees to Volition.

It will not result in any layoffs within the core development teams at Volition. Volition remains a key development studio within THQ and will continue to employ 236 staff.

The layoffs include 47 temporary employees who will not be having their service extended. Unfortunately, fluctuating headcount among the temporary staff is common based on when our games ship. In addition, 39 full-time staff will be laid off.

All laid off employees (both full-time and temporary) will be given at least sixty days’ notice. We will do what we can to assist them in finding work in the community or elsewhere in THQ.

Kind regards,

Julie MacMedan
Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
THQ Inc.

Read [Kotaku]